The Transvésubienne 2009 occured last sunday. Considered as the hardest race of the world, 85kms, startup in mountain, finishing at Nice promenade des Anglais after 4500m downhill, 3300m ascent, incredible rocky trails, the race of the braves
Maverick Durance and Duc32 the perfect weapon for such race !!!

La Garoutade is in february, near Perpignan Pyrenees Orientales. It's a great "randonnée" not a race. 65kms, 2300m ascent, maximum DH around 500m, not really difficult. It allows to prepare the Transvé very soon in the season, in a sunny place (when it's cold and cloudy in Paris). The ambiance is great, people in the south west of France are very friendly.
Transvé is another world: The three main DH, respectively 1200m, 1500m and 800m are very very difficult with all types of ground but mainly rocky. Be extremely carefully with the choice of the tyres. I made the good one with Schwalbe Racing Ralph Double Defense 2.25 for the rear and Specialized Eskar 2Bliss 2.3 for the front, both in NoTubes, low pressure.

2007 Maverick Matic

here my new maverick durance. was supposed to be my trailbike, but ended up racing it on its first days at the breckepic race after running into trouble with my regular race bike. with parts borrowed from my wife's bike ...

... and liked it that much that i kept using it for 2 more days even when my regular bike was fixed again.